School Expansion, New Drug Treatment Center On St. Cloud Planning Commission Agenda

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Planning Commission will hear requests for two Planned Unit Development agreements to expand a private school and renovate a former church into a drug treatment center at Tuesday’s meeting.

The St. Cloud Christian School is considering adding a new 22,703 square-foot wing onto its building, spread across three stories. The property has been used as a school for nearly 70 years, first as an elementary in District 742 and, more recently, as a private facility.

The lot is currently zoned R2-Residential and within code. The expansion would require a variance for the location of off-street parking spots within the required setback from the property line. It would also violate the maximum lot coverage and floor area ratio standards.

St. Cloud Christian School Interim Development Director Bill Corcoran emails KNSI News to say that the project is only in the exploratory phase. They are evaluating multiple options and want to ensure that all are viable by getting the city’s approval where needed before officials make any decision on the path forward.

Nelson Construction and Development wants to rezone the former First United Methodist Church at 302 5th Avenue South with a PUD to allow for a 48-bed treatment center, which would also provide outpatient services. It would sit adjacent to Coborns Plaza and the new Bremer Bank center.

Staffing for the drug treatment center would fluctuate between about 12 overnight and 30 during daytime. Family and guest visitation would also be allowed. It has been vacant since 2013. The building was first put up in the 1960s.

The 2015 comprehensive plan calls for mixed-use buildings similar in nature to what is found throughout the University Gateway district.

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